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Video: mysterious dancing Russian plane {Gadling}
May 5th 2011 11:14AM Looks like a loss of rudder control, or a rudder that's going the wrong way.
Gadling contest - win a SteriPEN Traveler water purifier {Gadling}
Jul 21st 2010 10:25PM This one is easy. Two years ago I made the longest day trip of my life. Traveling from DFW to BWI, I partook in breakfast on the plane. That day presented but one choice, the infamous cheese omelete. Things seemed fine after I landed. Went to a business lunch, had a sandwich, then hit the client meeting. Things started getting a little hot in the meeting, and I started getting the sweats. I dismissed it thinking it was just me doing my thing in an overly-animated way.
By the time I got back to the airport, I could definitely tell something was going on. My abdomen was a bit rigid, I had some stomach cramps, and I had just a slight touch of nausea (See how this is a travel story? All my symptoms were like the shampoo in a hotel room.... tiny). I boarded, sat down in a half empty first class, and tried to think about home.
About an hour into the flight, I knew that this thing was going to come to a head, but instead of doing so in the comfort of my own home, it was going to happen in the first class bathroom.
Twice.
I made it in and proceeded to violently pass BOTH meals through the path in which they entered. It was the kind that poured streams of tears down my cheeks.
I don't think any of the passengers were aware, and thankfully I could curl up on my own row with no neighbor for the duration of the flight.
To this day, I cannot even look at the cheese omelete.
Ten of the best (and worst) airline safety videos ever made {Gadling}
Jun 30th 2010 11:31AM Anyone know where the TAM Airlines claymation safety video is? It's hilarious and quite suggestive.
Galley Gossip: Frequent flier pet peeve - rude flight attendants {Gadling}
Aug 13th 2009 12:54PM I've been in this situation before. I'm the kind of passenger that does not like to be noticed. Or I guess, more appropriately, I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I laugh at people who scream at a gate agent because flights are cancelled due to weather. I know gate agents are powerful people, but last I checked, they could not control the weather, or guarantee passenger and crew safety.
With my status, I often fly first class, but the varying service I get is actually quite incredible. From the best absolute service in the world to some of the rudest flight attendants imaginable. My airline passes out applause tickets to their frequent fliers. I keep them with me and will give them out for exceptional service every single time I receive it, because I want to reward those flight attendants who demonstrate fantastic customer service, hopefully encouraging others to do the same. I hope those applause tickets are truly worth something!
Plane Answers: Step climbs, ferry flights and US Airways milking the publicity {Gadling}
Mar 9th 2009 3:51PM Ahh, so it's a physics thing! Got it!
Plane Answers: Step climbs, ferry flights and US Airways milking the publicity {Gadling}
Mar 9th 2009 3:18PM And as a follow-up to the step-climb explanation, why would the pilot not just climb to the most efficient fuel burn altitude (assume higher with favorable winds) at the beginning? Usually when I am on trans-atlantic or other long distance flights, we hear "Initial cruising altitude of 32K, then climbing to 38K." Wouldn't it be more efficient to just climb to 38K? Or is it common to wait until you are in a less congested airway to execute the climb?
Plane Answers: Step climbs, ferry flights and US Airways milking the publicity {Gadling}
Mar 9th 2009 3:14PM Agree with Geoff. I'm a new private pilot flying single engine props, and I think I submitted the step climb question a while back. The thrust at the end is use to arrest too steep of a descent so that the aircraft does not execute a carrier landing (abrupt and teeth chattering hit to the runway). The mantra that we learn on final approach is pitch for airspeed, power for altitude. The pilot may end up losing altitude too quickly at the end and then gooses the throttle to make the landing kissably smooth.
Photo of the Day (12.27.08) {Gadling}
Dec 28th 2008 10:06AM Hey thanks! I love your blog!
Seagate Leaves me bloody... {Blog Maverick}
Aug 11th 2006 1:33PM RIGHT there with you on that. I've been complaining about this for the past several years. Kids packaging is also equally painful to get going. It's just a doll, why is it strapped in like it's going into orbit?
